Photo © Janine Schranz
a collaboration with Ruth Schnell
Exhibitions:
TRACES OF CONTROL
PATRÍCIA J. REIS AND RUTH SCHNELL
PARALLEL VIENNA
Galerie Lisi Hämmerle
Vienna, Austria
10.9 – 14.9.2025
TRACES OF CONTROL
PATRÍCIA J. REIS AND RUTH SCHNELL
Galerie Lisi Hämmerle
Bregenz, Austria
12.7 – 17.8.2025
The Unexpected: Enquiries on Human-AI Interaction
Artists: Pamela Breda, Patricia Reis, Ruth Schnell
Vienna, Austria
6.5. to 25.6.2025
Traces of Control, 2025
Within their artistic research Patrícia J. Reis and Ruth Schnell explore the far-reaching societal and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence, as well as its technological influence on our lived environment. Their interactive mixed media installation expands the physical exhibition into a hybrid experiential space by interweaving virtual and physical layers and adding a digital dimension to real objects and artefacts. By utilizing the head- mounted display HoloLens, the artists create an mixed-reality immersive environment in which particpants can encounter fictional characters and narratives that references controversial AI applications, including autonomous weapon systems, brain hacking, data labor exploitation, sexbots, and extractivist practices. The installation brings key elements of the AI technosphere into the physical exhibition space through the materialization of objects and artifacts made from AI-related materials. While the ceramic pieces give “body” to some of the warfare systems with the potential to operate autonomously on the battlefield, the sexbot skeletons reffer to the absent “doll-like” body — one that is hypersexualized and objectifyed, raising questions about machine agency and consent. Perhaps the most significant advantage humans still hold over machine is the fact that AI lacks a body, and with it, the capacity to experience and act within the world. Robotics remain far behind the pace of deep learning developments—largely due to limitations in natural resources and energy needed to sustain such growth. Where are these resources being mined? Where are they used? Where do they end up after being discarded? What happens to the energy and water required to sustain and cool massive server infrastructures? Who is doing the invisible labor behind AI? Where are they located, and whom do they serve? And where are the companies profiting from this opacity? Through data visualization, the artists literaly lay these facts on the table, embroidering them into tablecloths tops, for public consideration and reflection. Extractivism has gained increasing attention, especially with the growing demand for the raw materials needed to produce AI computer chips. Soon, with AI brain-computer interfaces, the human brain may become the next “gold” mine. Thoughts, memories, ideas, and images could potentially be extracted, stored, analyzed, transferred, and manipulated. Our right to privacy—and even our ability to forget—may soon be under threat. Through the materialization of thoughts into timeless materials such as stone, the artists highlight the urgent need for ethical boundaries and regulations to protect the planet’s inhabitants from the undesired impacts of AI.
Mixed media installation composed by: - Interactive mixed reality headset (HoloLens 2) with virtual elements (text and grid architecture, video, sound, 3D animation) - Immersive experience video walk-through - Kinetic installation composed by ceramic rockets - Ceramic DIY kamikaze drones, Ceramic UCAV’s (unmanned combat aerial vehicles) - Sexbot skeleton steel objects - Video and ceramics of Anogenital silicon dissection - Cotton embroidered tablecloths with data visualization (AI Commodity Chain, AI Invisible Labor, AI Water & Energy Consumption) - Laser engraved and printed objects on AI-driven neurotechnology Credits Traces of Control, 2025 Interactive mixed reality headset (HoloLens 2): Artistic concept and direction: Patrícia J. Reis and Ruth Schnell Technology architect: Thomas Hochwallner Actors: Sarah Jeanne Babits Therese Cafasso Randall Galera Deborah Gzesh Harmony (3D animation): Joanna Zabielska Mixed media installation: Concept and production: Patrícia J. Reis and Ruth Schnell 3D printing: Klemens Kohlweis Tailoring and Embroidery: Erika Farina
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